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You seem to be doing it the right way then.
Maybe as Redfinger said, it could just be a bad batch of brushes. You could have just gotten really unlucky in that case.

I hope it doesn't happen again. I can sense how frustrating it is for you.

PC Veteran wrote:I hope it doesn't happen again. I can sense how frustrating it is for you.

It really sucks all the fun out of painting.

The licking has kept even my cheap brushes in check and with a point, and I'm admittedly not the most 'caring' brush owner.

To define licking though, I put the brush in mouth and swirl it to a point between my lips (that sounded far dirtier than I intended).

Theres nothing harmful at all about it, providing you're using acrylics. And if you use vallejo, they don't even smell/taste bad!

Just ordered a 3/0, 1 and 2 series 401 from Rosemary and Co, they only cost £6.50 total so hopefully they'll be good.

After you clean your brushes, do you shape them into the point that you want when they are dry? I wet my hand and twirl the wet brush to shape it into a point and then leave I have an aluminum brush holder that I use to hang them brush down. only my cheap brushes do not keep a great point after this.

Synchro wrote:After you clean your brushes, do you shape them into the point that you want when they are dry? I wet my hand and twirl the wet brush to shape it into a point and then leave I have an aluminum brush holder that I use to hang them brush down. only my cheap brushes do not keep a great point after this.

Yep. I treat them really well and they betray me like a cheating girlfriend.

Not sure what to tell you. My Kolinsky brushes pop right back into shape every time. Some part of the equation sounds off. The fact that your old brushes did this too has me wanting to see a video of exactly what you are doing for everyone to analyze.

I like how the OP seems to be avoiding the idea of licking his brushes

I picked up (rather expensive) Golden Fox brush at a local hobby shop, the point has held fine since I've gotten it and I'm not the most caring with my brushes either.

ZombyJezuz wrote:I like how the OP seems to be avoiding the idea of licking his brushes

I picked up (rather expensive) Golden Fox brush at a local hobby shop, the point has held fine since I've gotten it and I'm not the most caring with my brushes either.

I'd rather leave giving oral to the professionals.

MrH wrote:

I'd rather leave giving oral to the professionals.

I wish there was a like button!

ZombyJezuz wrote:

MrH wrote:

I'd rather leave giving oral to the professionals.

I wish there was a like button!

+1...

Anyway (back on topic), I know I made the HUGE mistake of "Oh, the glue is dry now, I can paint again!" and the super-glue insta-dried as soon as it touched my freakin' brushes...

I'm gonna start storing them brush down. Didn't think of that. I also wash them with a turpentine substitute (used by oil painters to thin their paints), immediately followed by a rinse in water, and swirl on a paper towel to give them their point, and back in the tube they go.

I hope my strategy isn't my downfall as well.... Maybe I start lickin'....

fenrir1997 wrote:I hope my strategy isn't my downfall as well.... Maybe I start lickin'....

At least take it to dinner and a show first.

MrH wrote:

fenrir1997 wrote:I hope my strategy isn't my downfall as well.... Maybe I start lickin'....

At least take it to dinner and a show first.

I Lol'ed... hard...

For the treatment my brush is getting it should be taking me out to dinner and a show first!

Some good news, the eBay seller has agreed to give me a full refund on the W&N brushes as they're obviously from a dud batch and my Rosemary and Co brushes came today! They look a bit cheap and rough and ready but we'll see how they paint later.

MrH wrote:Some good news, the eBay seller has agreed to give me a full refund on the W&N brushes as they're obviously from a dud batch and my Rosemary and Co brushes came today! They look a bit cheap and rough and ready but we'll see how they paint later.

Congrats! You don't normally hear complaints about W&N brushes, your problems suprise me. On a more prracticle not regarding brush size, I do 90% of my painting with a Series 7 #1.

got to admit i lick them too... its a bad habbit with good consequences

Someone pass me a loaded gun. I just finished a fast Space Marine using the new brushes and...... it didn't split, but the tip developed a small curve mid way through the model. I tried reshaping it with conditioner but it won't budge.

You know the common denominator in all your failures, right? ;-) hehehehe

^ Just what I was thinking. That or you are the unluckiest person ever, you sure you want to play a game with dice?

It's just God telling me I should have taken up a different hobby.

if it is any consequence, my Vallejo brushes that came with the game color suitcase did the same little curl thing too. I now have relegated them to use for Vallejo Liquid Gold paints only.

Synchro wrote:if it is any consequence, my Vallejo brushes that came with the game color suitcase did the same little curl thing too. I now have relegated them to use for Vallejo Liquid Gold paints only.

Mine did it after like 2 hours LOL, how can that be possible? I just can't afford to keep buying brushes.

I always give my brush a good lick, even teasing it into a point with my tongue. (I always was a cunning Linguist Wahey!) Never had them split, my problem is leaving them somewhere stupid and finding them bent to buggery.

Perkustin wrote:I always give my brush a good lick, even teasing it into a point with my tongue. (I always was a cunning Linguist Wahey!) Never had them split, my problem is leaving them somewhere stupid and finding them bent to buggery.

Oh god...

Anyway, maybe try saturating your brush in water or cleaning solution, then leaving it hang dry? That way, the bristles are heavier, and are kind of "pulled' downwards. Just a thought. Correct me if this is a bad idea, I would feel terrible if I ruined another set of brushes :(

And the next time you paint, spin your brush after each stroke! Keep it from being curve-ey in 1 direction....

Dude, did you check out the link in my previous post? I am telling you the Raphael brushes are much, much, much better than the S7 brushes. Read some of the feedback on those brushes and the instructions for care on that site, Mr. Justin does a great job of explaining why the brushes are better.


Lastly, dont paint with the tip, pull the paint with the side of the bristles.


Ashton

Redfinger wrote:Dude, did you check out the link in my previous post? I am telling you the Raphael brushes are much, much, much better than the S7 brushes. Read some of the feedback on those brushes and the instructions for care on that site, Mr. Justin does a great job of explaining why the brushes are better.


Lastly, dont paint with the tip, pull the paint with the side of the bristles.


Ashton

I couldn't find those brushes in the UK.

Ok MrH, I feel your pain but I have a solution (Series 7 are nice brushes too, not a kolinski sable but for the money your paying its a damn good brush).

I use something called GUM ARABIC from windsor newton (costs about £2). Once your brush is nice and clean, dip it in this stuff and then shape the brush to the required shape and leave it alone. It will dry hard (don't worry) then put the Plastic sleeve on. When you want to use it dip it in a pot of fresh water and the gum dissolves in seconds and the brush retains it's shape, ready to paint.

Consider doing this as well with some Blu or White tac, as it keeps your brushes from "touching bottom" (kinky!)



Out of interest, what is the water type in your area? Hard or Soft? Lots of Minerals or relatively pure spring water or chalky crappy water you get in London and the South East?

It's crappy water.


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Redfinger wrote:
Lastly, dont paint with the tip, pull the paint with the side of the bristles.

I thought you're supposed to paint with the tip, at least that's what the guy from Awesome Paint Job said in one of his videos.

Hmm as regards water, I think i need to research some bits on the effect of different water and it's natural mineral composition.

The paint is standardised at the factory and the atmospheric conditions won't make a difference to painting (unlike Airbrushing or Spray painting). The brush is not some technological marvel, so I cannot honestly see there being a defect in its creation. That by my Rationale leaves the only significant variable as the water.....

Painting with the Tip, is something I was taught, the rest of the brush is a reservoir and you should never, never get paint in the Ferrule. I do use the edge or side of the brush when painting long straight lines on certain models, otherwise i use the tip almost exclusively.